Cat

Lore & Background

Advances in archaeology and genetics have shown that the domestication of the cat started in the Near East around 7500 BCE. The earliest known indication for the taming of an African wildcat was excavated close by a human Neolithic grave in Shillourokambos, southern Cyprus, dating to about 7500–7200 BCE. Wildcats of Egypt contributed to the maternal gene pool of the domestic cat at a later time. The earliest known evidence for the occurrence of the domestic cat in Greece dates to around 1200 BCE. Greek, Phoenician, Carthaginian and Etruscan traders introduced it to southern Europe. By the 5th century BCE, it was a familiar animal around settlements in Magna Graecia and Etruria. During the Roman Empire, it was introduced to Corsica and Sardinia. By the end of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, the Egyptian domestic cat lineage had arrived in a Baltic Sea port in northern Germany. The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) was tamed independently in China around 5500 BCE, but this line left no trace in domestic cat populations today.

In Their Own Story

The moon hung low over the suburban garden, casting silver shadows across the dew-kissed grass. Silas, a ginger tabby with eyes like polished amber, moved without sound, his paws absorbing every vibration of the earth. He paused near the fence, ears swiveling independently to catch the faint rustle of a field mouse in the dry leaves. For a heartbeat, he was not a pampered house pet but a creature of pure instinct, muscles coiled and ready. With a silent leap, he vanished into the night, his presence felt only by the sudden stillness of the crickets.

Reader's Guide

Cat communication includes meowing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, grunting, body language, and scent marking. It can hear sounds too faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by small mammals. It secretes and perceives pheromones. Cat intelligence is evident in its ability to adapt, learn through observation, and solve problems. The domestic cat is the only domesticated species of the family Felidae. During domestication, cats have undergone only minor changes in anatomy and behavior, and they are still capable of surviving in the wild. Their rigorous grooming habits and instinct to bury their bodily waste make them generally much less messy than other domesticated animals. The development of cat breeds started in the mid-19th century. Most breeds are founded on random-bred domestic cats; genetic diversity of these breeds varies between regions, and is lowest in purebred populations, which show more than 20 deleterious genetic disorders.

Did You Know?

• A male cat is called a tom, tommy or tomcat (or a gib, if neutered). A female is called a queen (or sometimes a molly, if spayed).
• A juvenile cat is referred to as a kitten (also shortened to kitty).
• A group of cats can be referred to as a clowder, a glaring, or a colony.
• The domestic cat and its closest wild ancestor both possess 19 chromosome pairs and roughly 20,000 genes.

Production and Recording Details

The creation of the third studio album involved a unique timeline spanning nearly two years. However, the bulk of recording occurred under pandemic lockdown conditions between late 2020 and early 2021. Sessions were primarily conducted at producer Y2K’s home studio as well as professional facilities like Sound Factory and Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Engineering duties were handled by Rian Lewis, who highlighted the artist's meticulous approach to vocal production within the booth. He noted that every harmony and character voice was her own idea, executed with precision. Serving as executive producer alongside Yeti Beats, she collaborated with a diverse team including Dr. Luke and Aaron Bow. The final vocals for the opening track were captured just one month prior to the June 2021 release date, marking a project that felt fully authentic to her identity compared to previous efforts.

Conceptual Themes and Visuals

Conceptually, the record is built around a fictional celestial body described as the center of the universe where all species coexist in harmony. The artist clarified that the title was intended to be cute rather than a strict feminist statement or exclusively for women. Instead, it serves as a setting for exploring relationships and femininity without heavy political messaging. Visually, the project aimed for an otherworldly aesthetic distinct from standard pop or rap styles. Creative director Brett Alan Nelson described the approach as fresh futurism, crafting what the artist’s future might look like since the actual future is unknown. The album cover, photographed by David LaChapelle, depicts her floating amidst outer space covered in sparkles. While it appears she is flying, she explained she is actually submerged in rock after falling from space, leaving the imagery open to interpretation. Music videos for singles further explored different locations on this planet, creating a cohesive sci-fi narrative that critics described as campy yet pristine pop fun.

Commercial Performance and Singles

Commercially, the project achieved significant global traction upon its June 25 release through Kemosabe and RCA Records. The album itself peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 for four non-consecutive weeks and reached the summit in New Zealand. Internationally, it landed inside the top ten across thirteen different countries. Its sales performance was robust enough to finish as the world’s tenth best-selling album of 2021. The deluxe edition expanded the tracklist with additional features from artists like Eve and Gunna. This commercial success underscored her ability to blend pop, hip-hop, and R&B influences into a widely accessible product that resonated with audiences worldwide during the height of the pandemic era music consumption.

Critical Reception and Reflection

Upon release, the album garnered positive reviews from music critics who praised its sonic versatility and vocal deliveries. Publications like Rolling Stone characterized the work as an incredibly unique and theatrical environment with sci-fi references, while Insider interpreted the lyrics as a space where feminine divinity is celebrated. The deluxe version received significant industry recognition, earning nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. However, the artist’s perspective on the work shifted over time. Despite these later comments, the project remains a defining moment in her career, recognized for blending psychedelic qualities with science fiction contexts that incorporate video game and comic book imagery.